Agitator for storage bin of ice cube maker

ABSTRACT

An automatic apparatus for mechanically agitating ice cubes stored in the storage bin of an ice cube maker to obviate cube agglomerates resulting from fusion of stored cubes to each other. The agitator system of the invention includes means for ensuring that agitation takes place automatically at spaced time intervals for finite limited periods.

United States Patent Esser et al.

[54] AGITATOR FOR STORAGE BIN OF ICE CUBE MAKER [72] Inventors: Haroldll. Esser, Chicago; Ralph B. Olson, Lombard, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Co.,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 31, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 889,473

[52] U.S.' Cl ..62/137, 62/344 [51] Int. Cl. ..F25c 1/00 [58] FieldolSearch ..62/137, 344; 222/138 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,949,019 8/1960 Roberts ..62/l37X [451 Mar. 28, 1972 3,151,66810/1964 Zimmermann ..62/344 X 3,217,509 11/1965 Weil et al ..62/344 X3,329,223 7/1967 Swanson et al. ..62/344 X Primary ExaminerMeyer PerlinAssistant Examiner-Ronald C. Capossela Attorney-Kegan, Kegan & Berkman[57] ABSTRACT An automatic apparatus for mechanically agitating icecubes stored in the storage bin of an ice cube maker to obviate cubeagglomerates resulting from fusion of stored cubes to each other. Theagitator system of the invention includes means for ensuringthat-agitation takes place automatically at spaced time intervals forfinite limited periods.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATEMTEB MR 2 8 1972 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVE/VTORS HAROLD H ESSER RALPH B. OLSON MOTOR- 32 PATENTEDMAR28 r9728.651.656

sum 2 0r 2 HAROLD HESSER v RALPH B. OLSON zimm B) AGITATOR FOR STORAGEBIN F ICE CUBE MAKER This invention relates to an ice maker apparatus ofthe type which automatically produces ice cubes or cubelets. Moreparticularly, the invention is directed to an improved agitator systemfor mechanically disturbing or agitating ice cubes stored in the bin orreceptacle of the ice maker, at periodic time-spaced intervals.

Many machines for producing ice cubes automatically and for retaining orstoring the ice cubes in a suitable bin or other receptacle are known inthe prior art. One machine generally of the type in which the presentinvention finds utility is described in Leeson and Esser U.S. Pat. No.3,423,949. That patent illustrates and describes the overallconstruction and operation of an automatic ice cube maker, and theentire disclosure of that patent, to the extent that it is notinconsistent herewith, is hereby incorporated by reference. The Leesonand Esser automatic ice cube maker includes a water supply system whichdelivers water to a cooled plate on which an ice slab is formed,refrigeration means for cooling the plate on which the ice slab forms, asump system into which the excess, unfrozen water flows from therefrigerated plate during the ice making process, and evaporatorrecycling means by which the plate is warmed and the ice slab is freedfrom the plate. The mechanism also includes an element for sensing thelevel or height of ice stored in the storage bin and responsive to thepresence of such ice to terminate further freezing and ice cube makingcycles, so that the automatic machine will not produce beyond thestorage capabilities of the bin, or beyond a predetermined level.

Referring specifically to the ice storage bins of automatic ice cubemakers and dispensers, it has been found that, in time, the ice cubesstored in such bins tend to fuse to one another to form mechanicalagglomerates or aggregates. Such aggregates interfere with the properdischarge and dispensing of ice cubes from the bin, causingobjectionable interference with automatic dispensing mechanisms andposing a vexing problem. It is to a uniquely novel, and exceedinglyeffective mechanical system for obviating this problem that the presentinvention is directed.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a mechanicalagitator which operates at periodic, time-spaced intervals to disturbstored ice, mechanically, thereby precluding the formation ofpermanent"aggregates offused cubes.

It is a related object of the invention to provide automatic agitatormeans to maintain the stored ice cubes in an ice maker or dispenserstorage bin as discrete, separate, and physically distinct entities.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in cooperation witha mechanical agitator, automatic means for periodically initiatingaction of the agitator to effect agitation of stored ice cubes and tobreak up aggregates which may have formed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide automatic agitationmeans for mechanically disturbing ice cubes stored in an ice makerstorage bin and including means for controlling the time duration of theperiodic operation of the agitator.

It is another important object of the invention to provide an ice cubeagitator system in which agitation occurs automatically at controllableor predetermined time intervals.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agitator formechanically disturbing or agitating ice cubes stored in the storage binof an automatic ice maker, the means for effecting agitation utilizingmotor means which serves also to dispense or discharge ice cubes fromthe storage bin, thus effecting significant savings in overallmanufacturing costs.

A specific object of the invention is to provide, in an automatic icecube maker, a mechanical agitator and improved means for periodicallyactuating the agitator to break up aggregates or agglomerates of icecubes fused during bin storage.

A related object of the invention is to provide safety means to ensurethat the agitator for agitating ice cubes stored in the storage bin willoperate for only finite, limited time periods and at spaced timeintervals.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with thedrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice maker which includes an agitatorsystem embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical control circuit ofan ice maker, and including a preferred arrangement of a system forregulating and controlling operation of the agitator of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of one means for controlling thetiming of the agitator of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing one preferred embodiment of anelectrical circuit for controlling the agitator system of the invention.

The aims and objects of the invention are achieved by providing, inconjunction with the storage bin of an automatic ice cube maker, amechanical agitator which is actuated periodically and functionsphysically to disturb the stored ice cubes thus breaking up aggregatesand ensuring that the cubes remain as discrete, individual elements. Apreferred form of the present invention, provided for the purpose ofillustrative disclosure and not by way of limitation, is depicted inFIG. I of the drawings. As shown, the ice cube maker 10 includes arefrigerated plate or evaporator plate 12, and a water jet tube 14 forsupplying water to the underside 16 of the evaporator plate '12 to buildan ice slab thereon. The freezing plate 12 is inclined downwardly fromthe front toward the rear, and the flowing water in excess of thattransformed into ice on the evaporator plate 12 is received in acollecting trough 20 positioned below the evaporator plate at its lowerend. The water collected in the trough is subsequently and continuouslyrecirculated to the plate 12 by means of a suitable pump 22 andassociated piping, and ultimately discharged as unwanted solids buildup.

Refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 12 from a conventionalrefrigeration assembly (not shown). A slab of ice is produced on theunderside surface of the evaporator plate 12 and, when the ice slab hasreached the desired thickness, the plate is heated so that the slab isfreed and drops upon a frame-supported ice-cutting grid assembly 24disposed below the plate 12 in substantial vertical correspondencetherewith.

The ice slab freed from the underside of the evaporator plate 12 issupported by and bears upon a lattice of electrically heated ice-cuttingwires 26 which melt their way through the slab, the slab advancingdownwardly by gravity to pass through the grid 24 as the slab isdissected into discrete units such as prisms, cubes, or the like, theformed cubes falling into a storage receptacle or bin 28 below theice-cutting grid 24.

In the usual and the intended operation of the ice cube maker, when theice slab has been freed from the evaporator plate 12, and while the gridwires 26 are dissecting the ice slab into discrete portions, watercontinues to flow downwardly over the surface of the underside of theevaporator plate and a new ice slab is formed. The cycles continue untilthe storage bin 28 is filled with cubes to a predetermined level.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, the physicallevel of ice contained in storage bin 28 is sensed by a thermostat 32which detects variations in temperature correlated with the proximity ofice contained in the bin. As indicated in FIG. 1, the bin thermostat 32is carried at the underside of the grid assembly 24 so that it overliesthe storage bin 28. Upon sensing the ice cubes which have accumulated inthe storage bin, the thermostat 32, which serves as an electricalswitching means, functions to effect termination of further freezing andice cube making cycles so that ice cube production will not exceed theneed or the capacity of the bin. A detailed explanation of the operationof the overall device is found in a later portion of this specificationin which the control circuitry of the ice cube making apparatus isdescribed.

From time to time, as required, ice cubes may be removed from thestorage bin 28. While this may be done manually through the use of ascoop or the like, it is preferred, in accordance with the practice ofthe present invention, to keep the bin closed and to provide moresanitary dispensing means. The mechanism utilized is shown in FIG. 1 andincludes a dispensing auger 40, a dispensing chute 42 which is fed bythe auger, and a drive motor 46. The latter is suitably linked by meansof sprockets 50 and 52 and a chain 56 to rotate the auger shaft. Whenthe ice dispensing button of the machine is depressed, the drive motor46 is energized and actuates the auger 40, the latter carrying ice cubesalong the bottom of the tion of these objectionable aggregates whichseriously impair the quality of the product and which interfere with theproper operation of the machine and with the dispensing operations. Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1,physical disturbance or agitation of the ice stored in the bin isachieved through a mechanical agitator 60 which, in the form depicted,consists of a laterally extending rotatable shaft 62 to which arefastened agitation bars 66, the latter being secured along the shaft 62at spaced intervals and extending generally normally thereto. The shaft62 is suitably journaled at each end, and a sprocket wheel 70 keyed tothe shaft meshes with the drive chain 56 so that the drive motor 46which controls the ice dispensing auger 40 serves as well to drive theagitator 60.

' frequency with which ice is removed from the storage bin, in

accordance with the practice of the present invention means are providedto produce periodic agitation at spaced time intervals for limited,finite time increments. Several preferred mechanisms are described inthe following paragraphs with reference to the electrical control systeminvolved.

The control circuitry for the ice cube making apparatus is shown in FIG.2. The instant application is directed primarily to the agitatorcircuitry and mechanism, and the general operation of the ice cubemaking apparatus is described herein principally to explain thestructure and function of the agitator.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a first embodiment of the iceagitator control system. A source of electric current is delivered tothe system at terminals 72 and 72a. The bin thermostat 32, which sensesvariations in temperature caused by the relative proximity of ice in theice storage bin 28, functions as a single pole double throw switch. Whenthe stored ice is below a given level in the bin 28, the bin thermostat32 closes contact A, causing current to be conducted to the ice cubemaking portion of the apparatus. Current is supplied to the compressormotor 74 and compressor motor starting relay 76. Current also isconducted through contact A of the bin thermostat 32 to a bank of timeswitches 78 operated by a timer motor 80. A timer selector switch 82permits manual selection of any of a plurality of time periods for eachice producing cycle. A thermostat 84 switches from contact B to contactA at 20 F. during the ice producing cycle. At the end of the selectedtime period power is supplied to a hot gas solenoid 86, a water dumpsolenoid 88 and a relay coil 92 for relay 90 as timer switch 78transfers from A to B. The hot gas solenoid 86 permits heatedrefrigerant to circulate through the cooling system, thereby freeing theformed ice slab from the evaporator. The water dump solenoid 88discharges water from the system to preclude an accumulation of solidstherein. Relay 90, operated by relay coil 92, stops the water pump 22which provides water for freezing during the freezing cycle. When thetemperature of thermostat 84 is raised to 40 F it switches from contactA to contact B, removing electrical power from the hot gas solenoid 86and the water dump solenoid 88, permitting them to close, and, removingpower from relay coil 92 supplies power to pump 22. At the same time,thermostat 84 provides power through its contact B to restart thecondenser fan motor 94 which provides cooling for the condenser (notshown). lf thermostat 84 does not switch back to contact B within. aperiod of time determined by the setting of time switch 78, the timeswitch 78 bypasses thermostat 84, removing power from the solenoids 86and 88 and from the relay coil 92, and supplying power to the fan motor94.

The control circuitry for the first embodiment of the ice agitator isshown in the upper portion of F IG. 2. When the bin 28 is filled withice cubes, the bin thermostat 32 is cooled, and switches from contact Ato contact B, thereby conducting electric currentthrough the closedcontacts of a 2-second time delay relay 96, through the closed contacts98 of the ice dispenser'relay 100, and then through the closed contactsof a l5-second time delay relay 102 to the coil of dispenser motor relay104 which has two sets of contacts for starting and stopping thedispenser motor 46. Therefore, upon closure of contact B of the binthermostat 32, current is conducted through the closed contacts to timedelay relays 96 and 102 to energize the coil of the dispenser motorrelay 104, starting thedispenser motor 46 which drives the ice agitatorfor a 2- second interval. Current from the bin thermostat 32 is alsoapplied to the heating element of time delay relay 106, which heatingelement causes a bimetallic element to open the contacts after a2-second delay, thereby deenergizing dispenser motor relay 104 andcausing the dispenser motor 46 and agitator drive system to stop. AnAmperite thermostatic delay relay, No. ll5c2 is suitable for use asrelay 96. The heating element 106 of time delay relay 96 remains heated,holding relay 96 open, until the bin thermostat 32 switches back tocontact A. Time delay relay 102 is a safety device which opens after 15seconds should time delay relay 96 fail to open. Relay 102, once opened,remains open until manually reset.

The dispenser motor 46 is stopped instantaneously and positively whenthe dispenser motor relay 104 coil is deenergized. Upon deenergizationof the coil, the windings of the dispenser motor 46 are connected acrossthe motor brake. power supply 108 which holds a direct currentelectrical charge stored in capacitors. The stored electrical chargedischarges through the motor windings and the braking current causes themotor 46 to stop immediately. A timer switching mechanism may be used inplace of the thermostat 32 for initiating agitator operation. 1

ice may be dispensed manually by closing the ice switch 1 10, therebypermitting current to flow through a portion control timer switch 112and an ice dispensing cut off switch 114 to energize the manual icedispensing relay 100. Upon energization, relay switches from contact 98to contact 116, thereby permitting electrical power to flow through theclosed contact of time delay relay 102 to energize the coil of dispensermotor relay 104 operating the dispenser motor 46. The manual operationof the dispenser motor by means of ice switch causes relay contact 98 ofrelay 100 to open, thereby interrupting any current coming through thebin thermostat 32 and time delay relay 96. Thus, when the dispensermotor 46 is actuated by means of the manual ice switch 110, thecircuitry for automatically actuating the dispenser motor 46 upon theclosing of contact B of the bin thermostat 32 is disconnected andbypassed, and the closing of said bin thermostat 32 has no effect on thedispenser motor 46.

The quantity of ice dispensed upon closure of the ice switch 110 may becontrolled by a portion control timer 118 which opens switch 112 after apreset interval, causing the dispenser motor 46 to stop. The portioncontrol timer 118 may be selectably incorporated in the circuit byclosing portion control switch 120. Energization of the coil of relay100 will cause relay contact 122 to remain closed until the portioncontrol timer switch 1 12 is opened.

A second embodiment of the agitator control system of the invention isshown schematically in FIG. 4. The bin thermostat 32 switches electricpower to contact A to operate the refrigeration apparatus and produceice. When the bin 28 is filled with ice cubes, the thermostat 32 iscooled and switches to contact B. Current is conducted from contact B ofthe bin thermostat to switch 126a which is a microswitch or similardevice operated by means of a cam 128 carried on the agitator shaft 62turned by the dispenser motor. Switch 1260, being closed, current isconducted through time delay relay 102 which is described above, toenergize the coil of manual ice dispensing relay 100. Relay 100, whenenergized, has its contact 98 closed and its contact 116 open,conducting current from contact 98, and through the coil of relay 104,thereby energizing relay 104 to actuate the dispenser motor 46 as isshown in FIG. 2. When deenergized, its contact 98 opens and contact 116closes. The dispenser motor 46 turns the cam 128 which cam opensmicroswitch 126 a and closes microswitch l26b. Upon the opening ofmicroswitch 126a power is removed from relay coil 100, permittingcontact 116 of relay 104 to open, and interrupting current to the coilof relay 100, thereby opening the circuit to the dispenser motor 46 andstopping it. As the temperature inside the bin rises, bin thermostat 32switches back to close contact A, sending current through closed switch126b, through the time delay relay 96 and again 'actuates relay 100,closing its contact 116 and opening its contact 98. The coil of relay104 is again energized, starting the dispenser motor 46 which operatesuntil switch l26b is opened by means of the cam 128 and switch 126a isclosed. Thus, the dispenser motor 46 will operate to rotate the cam 128180, or through any other preferred arc, each time the bin thermostat 32switches from contact A to B or from contact B to A. The time delayrelay 102, as described above, is a safety device intended to turn offthe dispenser motor 46 if, for any reason, it does not stop runningafter seconds.

In still another embodiment of the invention, and as illustratedschematically in F IG. 3, the periodic energization of the agitatorassembly 60 is achieved by means of a timer 130 driven by a motor 132,which timer operates at selectable time intervals to close a switch 134to energize the drive motor 46. The switch 134 operates in conjunctionwith a conventional time delay or holding circuit (not shown) so thatthe switch remains closed for only a limited period in the order ofabout 2 seconds. Operation of the agitator for such limited periods atspaced time intervals in the range of about 3 hours has been found toprovide adequate agitation so that aggregates are effectively broken upand proper operation of the machine is ensured.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the inventionshown in the drawings and described above are merely illustrative of themany forms which the invention may take in practice without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. in ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including binmeans for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removaltherefrom for use,

mechanical agitator means for agitating ice contained in said bin meansto free any fused portions of said particulate ice,

auger means distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable todischarge particulate ice stored in said bin means,

drive means,

mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to saidagitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and

thermostat means for detecting temperature changes in said bin means,said temperature changes being correlated with the level of ice storedin said bin means;

the improvement wherein said thermostat means is operative to connectelectrical power to said drive means for energization thereof, therebyto rotate sald mechanical agitator means in response to a predeterminedtemperature detected by said thermostat means and correlating with afilling of said bin means to a predetermined selectable level, saidthermostat means also being responsive to the predetermined selectablelevel of ice in said bin means to cut off production of ice by said icemaker apparatus; and wherein said apparatus includes first electricalcircuit means responsive to' sensing of ice present in said bin means ata predetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite,limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive meansto terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin'means; and

fail-safe electrical circuit means connected in series with said drivemeans and with said first electrical circuit means,

said fail-safe electrical circuit means being operative to open saidfirst electrical circuit means, and thereby to remove electrical powerfrom said drive means in the event said first electrical circuit meansfails to cut off power to said drive means at the end of said finite,limited time interval.

2. In ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including binmeans for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removaltherefrom for use,

mechanical agitator means for agitating ice contained in said bin meansto free any fused portions of said particulate ice,

auger means distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable todischarge particulate ice stored in said bin means,

drive means,

mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to saidagitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and,

thermostat means for detecting temperature changes in said bin means,said temperature changes being correlated with the level of ice storedin said bin means;

the improvement wherein said thermostat means is operative to connectelectrical power to said drive means for energization thereof, therebyto rotate said mechanical agitator means in response to a predeterminedtemperature detected by saidthermostat means and correlating with afilling of said bin means to a predetermined selectable level, saidthermostat means also being responsive to the predetermined selectablelevel of ice in said bin means to cut off production of ice by said icemaker apparatus; and wherein said apparatus includes first electricalcircuit means responsive to sensing of ice present in said bin means ata predetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite,limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive meansto terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin means; and

wherein said drive means includes motor means, second electrical circuitmeans for supplying power to said motor means, electrical timer meansconnected in series with said motor means for controlling the quantityof ice dispensed from said bin means by said auger means, and electricalswitch means connected in series with said motor means and said timermeans for energization thereof,

whereby upon activation of said motor means said timer means functionsto close and open said switch means in programmed sequence to provide afinite, preselectable period of energization of said motor means, toeffect rotation of said auger means to discharge particulate ice fromsaid bin means for a finite, preselectable period of time.

1. In ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including binmeans for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removaltherefrom for use, mechanical agitator means for agitating ice containedin said bin means to free any fused portions of said particulate ice,auger means distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable todischarge particulate ice stored in said bin means, drive means,mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to saidagitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, andthermostat means for detecting temperature changes in said bin means,said temperature changes being correlated with the level of ice storedin said bin means; the improvement wherein said thermostat means isoperative to connect electrical power to said drive means forenergization thereof, thereby to rotate said mechanical agitator meansin response to a predetermined temperature detected by said thermostatmeans and correlating with a filling of said bin means to apredetermined selectable level, said thermostat means also beingresponsive to the predetermined selectable level of ice in said binmeans to cut off production of ice by said ice maker apparatus; andwherein said apparatus includes first electrical circuit meansresponsive to sensing of ice present in said bin means at apredetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite,limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive meansto terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin means; and fail-safeelectrical circuit means connected in series with said drive means andwith said first electrical circuit means, said fail-safe electricalcircuit means being operative to open said first electrical circuitmeans, and thereby to remove electrical power from said drive means inthe event said first electrical circuit means fails to cut off power tosaid drive means at the end of said finite, limited time interval.
 2. Inice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including bin meansfor receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removal therefromfor use, mechanical agitator means for agitating ice contained in saidbin means to free any fused portions of said particulate ice, augermeans distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable to dischargeparticulate ice stored in said bin means, drive means, mechanicallinkage means operatively coupling said drive means to said agitatormeans and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and, thermostatmeans for detecting temperature changes in said bin means, saidtemperature changes being correlated with the level of ice stored insaid bin means; the improvement wherein said thermostat means isoperative to connect electrical power to said drive means forenergization thereof, thereby to rotate said mechanical agitator meansin response to a predetermined temperature detected by said thermostatmeans and correlating with a filling of said bin means to apredetermined selectable level, said thermostat means also beingresponsive to the predetermined selectable level of ice in said binmeans to cut off production of ice by said ice maker apparatus; andwherein said apparatus includes first electrical circuit meansresponsive to sensing of ice present in said bin means at apredetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite,limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive meansto terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin means; and whereinsaid drive means includes motor means, second electrical circuit meansfor supplying power to said motor means, electrical timer meansconnected in series with said motor means for controlling the quantityof ice dispensed from said bin means by said auger means, and electricalswitch means connected in series with said motor means and said timermeans for energization thereof, whereby upon activation of said motormeans said timer means functions to close and open said switch means inprogrammed sequence to provide a finite, preselectable period ofenergization of said motor means, to effect rotation of said auger meansto discharge particulate ice from said bin means for a finite,preselectable period of time.